This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Squeezing this trip in between events was bad enough, but when we discovered that BA were having another one of their strikes, even though Gatwick was said to be uneffected, it made the planning interesting.
Being a bit dubious of the whole trip (you know the feeling when it feels although its just not went to be) it was very late when we eventually booked the Virgin section. This meant after going through many many options, that unless the house was going to be remortgaged, it was going to have to be premium economy. It's been a long time since we last travelled premium but hey, it meant a week in the sunshine.
Suddenly outbound opened up with miles to Upper and was grabbed within minutes, inbound remains stuffed and still looks like P/E.
A quick trip down to Gatwick on BA with absolutely no problems and an overnight at the Hilton soon passed and we were soon heading towards the check-in. A few seconds later and we were the only ones gracing the fast track security.
Next was the big question, ipad or not. Still not convinced about the flash issues - iplayer being a major factor - I decided instead to replace my trusty old Vaio which was now around 6 years old and slow as a week with a cheap and cheerful netbook. An ipad will still probably be purchased but in the future.
Anyhoo, onwards to the clubhouse which was very quiet, bar a couple of ex pop stars and I can gladly report that the portions seem to have been increased again to previous sizes. Jan had breakfast served in the smallest of dishes you could find, this trip it was back to full size plates and portions.
One of the long serving stars of the Clubhouse staff was literally pouring champagne down our necks and I thought we were up for a good trip.
That wasn't to be. We've never really had a bad experience for a few years and whilst this wasn't a bad trip, it was certainly no where near the best.
The plane was bursting at the seams and I would guess they were staff down. FSM was never seen, ever and there was only one member of staff in the front cabin with an occasional visit from another. The perminent one was a "senior cabin crew" member of staff that wasn't really interested in his customers. Little things like only one drink, one piece of bread with your soup, coffee that I am still waiting on and a scone that you could have smashed a window with where a few of the problems.
The saving grace was another crew member that I am sure I have flown before changing the luke warm tea that was served with afternoon tea, to one and then another that actually tasted ok. This is not the first time there has been problems with tea or coffee. Is it that big a problem
Anyhoo, the highlight of the flight was problem the 2 Americans behind us that kept going on about "this is the only way to travel - 1st class" and spotting her under her blankets with a thick wool coat on complaining that she was cold
When has anyone every been that cold is upper. Its usually like an oven in that place 
(she wore that coat for 3/4's of the flight )Immigration went very quickly and the officers seemed to be letting people make corrections to their forms at the desk instead of sending them to the back of the queue. Dollar express works really well now its situated in the garage across the road and we were checked into Disneys Villas at Wilderness Lodge in little over an hour after landing.
In between the thunder and lightning it's very warm and first impressions are its pretty quiet for this time of year.
Thanks for reading
David
Regrettably, it is been some time since I was last there and whilst I did have a good time, it did seem a little too clinical compared to the old place.
- you never know though, MCO staff, a smile and a gold card can sometimes do wonders with miles 
) but will be interesting to see what happens. I have been warned to get on the interweb as soon as check-in opens to secure seats up the stairs 
